Hanging your finished prints

By Jeannie Handsaker - Paper Tole Craft Teacher

Happy new year to all the paper tole crafters out there.

I hope you have found lots of exciting new images to challenge your crafting abilities, and that a few of them are now hanging in your house. As you become more familiar with the craft of paper tole, it is important to continue to challenge yourself by learning new techniques and methods.

Furring and feathering are two unique methods that all paper tole students should attempt at some stage in their development as artists. Done correctly, feathering and furring can really make a finished print stand out from the crowd. They add a touch of realism that it is difficult to produce on the more straight forward kits.

If you need assistance getting started, think about purchasing a book that can help you on your way. Two excellent instructional books can be found here at Paper Tole Village.

When you finish your paper tole print, I hope that you have them framed and hanging in your house for everyone to see! One point that every one should be aware of though is that the medium you are using is paper. It is therefore very important that your finished work does not hang or come in contact with direct sunlight. Sunlight can fade and in some instances curl your picture, reducing the life-span of your work.

In Queensland and in other temperate climates, some craft students have reported a unique problem of ants getting into the back of their pictures! They get in there to eat the silicone, making a mess of the work that you have spent hours creating.

I was wondering the other day whether it would work to spray an insect repellant on the back of the frame prior to hanging? I would love to hear from anyone who has found a solution to this problem.

Another possible issue with your finished prints is the quality of the paper. I did see one picture where all the shaping had reversed, and it was because the paper had not been painted on the back with PVA. It was also poster paper, which does not have sufficient body on its own to provide enough structure for paper tole. This would also apply to calendar paper and wrapping paper, so take this extra precaution before you use any of these mediums.

I hope these tips have been useful, and I look forward to receiving your feedback.

Until next time, happy toleing!

Jeannie Handsaker is one of the leading paper tole craft teachers in Australia, regularly demonstrating at the major craft shows around the country.

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Dealing with narrow pattern pieces

By Jeannie Handsaker - Paper Tole Craft Teacher

Welcome fellow tolers to the first of a series of articles in paper tole craft. It is a great privilege to be able to share some of my experience with you via this website, and I look forward to providing you with some handy hints and tips over the coming months.

Hopefully you learn a few new things along the way which assist you in creating an even higher quality paper tole picture.

As I travel around Australia demonstrating this craft, I often get asked similar questions everywhere I go. One of the more common ones is:

"Do I have to be crafty to do paper tole, because I'm not really a very arty person"

Short answer? No! It doesn't matter what your level of natural craft talent is, for paper tole is one of those amazing crafts with something for everyone. Because many of the prints available these days come with instructions, there is an entry level picture available for almost everyone.

Another common question, and the focus of this months article:

"How do I deal with a very narrow pattern piece and still hide the silicone?"

The solution is to drop into your local florist or cake decorator and buy a packet of firm, coated wire. Tip this wire into your PVA bottle or pour a small amount out and drag the wire through.

Now take the wire and lay it onto the back of your pattern piece. When dry, this will provide enough support so that silicone only needs to be applied at the very base of the piece.

The wire will support the rest, and your picture will look perfectly seamless to the viewer when finished.

Give it a try next time you have a narrow piece to deal with, and let me know how you go. If you have any questions about the craft or specific techniques, please feel free to email me at enquiry@papertolevillage.com.

I will do my best to answer your query, and the best questions will be posted on www.papertolevillage.com so that everyone can benefit.

Until next time, happy toleing!

Jeannie Handsaker is one of the leading paper tole craft teachers in Australia, regularly demonstrating at the major craft shows around the country.

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